The Fourth Generation of CompactLogix Controllers (5370)

The forth generation of CompactLogix controllers began with the release of the L1, L2, and L3 back in 2012.

While 2012 might have been a bad year for Myan doomsayers, in was a banner year for the CompactLogix as Rockwell release not one but three new models.

While each model was physically different, unlike previous iterations all three shared a large number of features.

The 5370 Family of Small Programmable Automation Controllers:

One of the first things users noticed was that all three 5370 models had a USB 2.0 (Type B) programming port in place of the Channel 0 RS-232 port found on earlier CompactLogix controllers.

USB was not only more convenient than RS-232, it was also up to 15 times faster when flashing the controller's firmware.

Similar to the L4x line, all of the 5370 controllers used an internal capacitor in place of a battery, and they all had a button that could be used on power-up to erase the current program.

But unlike previous models, 5370 controllers had a Run Mode ‘toggle' switch in place of the classic ‘key' switch.

Also gone was the CompactFlash card slot found in the L3x and L4x, replaced with the more robust Secure Digital (SD) format. And unlike L3x and L4x models, all 5370 controllers actually came with a 1GB memory card.

5370 controllers also included a single Ethernet channel connected to a built-in, two port 10/100 Mbps Ethernet switch supporting star, linear, and ring typologies.

These new Ethernet channels had a substantially increased connection count (256 CIP, 120 TCP,) which was a boon to users who needed to connect multiple HMIs to a single CompactLogix.

Along with the additional CIP and TCP connections came a new, simpler means of determining the number of Ethernet I/O Nodes each model was capable of controlling.

Users no longer needed to ‘total up' the required connections of each I/O device as 5370 controllers had a ‘hard limit' to the number of I/O Nodes each could control.

These features, along with the fact that all 5370 were were roughly twice as fast as previous models, made them an instant hit with most of the existing user base.

And for the who were using the L4x series in motion control applications, that fact that select 5370 controllers (ERM models) also included support for motion over Ethernet made them a more cost effective option in most applications.

Good things come in threes. Well, at least when it comes to CompactLogix:

As previously stated, the 5370 family came in three unique lines: The L1, L2, and L3.

The L1 was the smallest of the three, reminiscent of the L23 but much smaller and with only Digital I/O built-in.

It was also the first controller to use 1734 Point I/O for local I/O Expansion.

Initially, three models were released:

Catalog Number

Memory

Built-In I/O (24vdc)

Local 1734 I/O Modules:

Ethernet I/O Nodes

CIP Motion Axis

1769-L16ER-BB1B

384KB

16 DI, 16 DO

6

4

1769-L18ER-BB1B

512KB

16 DI, 16 DO

8

8

1769-L18ERM

512KB

16 DI, 16 DO

8

8

2

The L2 on the other hand was a direct replacement for the L23.

It came in both Digital Only, and Combination Digital and Analog versions like the L23, however its analog offered much higher resolutions as well as universal inputs.

The L2 was also 40% smaller than the L23, and all models supported up to four 1769 Compact I/O Expansion Modules.

Catalog Number

Memory

Built-In I/O (24vdc)

Local 1769 I/O Modules:

Ethernet I/O Nodes

CIP Motion Axis

1769-L24ER-BB1B

750KB

16 DI, 16 DO

4

8

1769-L24ER-QBFC1B

750KB

16 DI, 16 DO, 4AI, 2AO, 6 HSC

4

8

1769-L27ERM-QBFC1B

1MB

16 DI, 16 DO, 4AI, 2AO, 6 HSC

4

16

4

The L3 controllers launched as a direct replacement for the L3x line, supporting all of the 1769 I/O, Power Supplies, and Cables previously used with the popular L32E and L35E controllers.

The L30ER model brought a new, lower cost option to the line, while the ERM models added motion control (CIP Motion) support:

Catalog Number

Memory

Local Expansion I/O Modules

Ethernet I/O Nodes

CIP Motion Axis

1769-L30ER

1MB

8 in 1 bank

16

1769-L30ER-NSE

1MB

8 in 1 bank

16

1769-L30ERM

1MB

8 in 1 bank

16

4

1769-L33ER

2MB

16 in 2 banks

32

1769-L33ERM

2MB

16 in 2 banks

32

8

1769-L36ERM

3MB

30 in 3 banks

48

16

Even though it's been several years since the 5370 controllers were released, I still think of them as the pinnacle of the CompactLogix line.

Fast, easy to configure and use, and coming in multiple form factors, it has to be one of the most successful product launches in programmable controller history.

Well, that's how I feel… what do you think?

Have you used any of the 5370 controllers, and are you still using them? Or have you moved on to the newer 5380?

You can share your thoughts and opinions with us by clicking on the comment link below my signature.

Those fancy L1 series ended up being my micrologix replacement because it's worth the extra $$ over the micro800 line for future ethernet hookups and plant data collection. (There's quite a ban by lots of our customers on that micro800 platform entirely...) Also the PointIO is a good bus to keep in stock with the wide variety of small footprint cards available. In our project history we used the safety variant of the L3 - nice and powerful for monitoring those pesky E-Stops and gates and making up some safety zones.
Thanks for the great series it was a good read all the way thru!

Good morning ,
Thanks for sharing your experience! I'm a fan of the L1 as well, and it's great that it can also control remote Ethernet I/O (unlike the Micros.)
I also avoided the Micro800 until I had to teach a course on it, since then I do like it 🙂
Oh, and there is one more article left - I picked up a 5380 to use in my Compact Basics course so I'll be writing about Gen 5 in the coming weeks 🙂
Thanks for reading!!!
Shawn

This series is still by far my favorite CompactLogix group. I have used them on my smaller projects (primarily the L3) for the past several year. For my current project I ventured out and used a 5069-L306ER, it's nice but I'm wishing I would have stuck with the 5370 series, especially for the availability of getting modules from Rockwell.
I think for the next go round I'll probably stick with my L3...

,
Thanks for your comments. Yeah, I was a little stunned that they changed the I/O bit addressing (why change something that works?) and that there are no Encompass modules yet for the 5069 🙁
Shawn Tierney,
Instructor at The Automation School